How much should an 8-week-old Bichon Frise be eating daily?

I’ve got an 8 1/2 week old Bichon Frise named Mason, and while he’s super active and playful, it feels like he’s not eating enough. How much food should he be getting per meal at this age? Any advice would be great.

I’d start with what the breeder or the food package recommends. Usually for an 8-week-old puppy, you want to spread out the meals to about three times a day. My guess is around a cup or less per day, divided into those meals. Just be sure you’re sticking to what the breeder suggested, sudden food changes can mess with their stomach.

@Adi
I’ve been sticking to the food the breeder gave me, just wanted to make sure the amount was right. Thanks!

It really depends on the type of food you’re using. Some kibbles have higher calorie counts, so you may need less. Have you checked the feeding guidelines on the bag?

Alex said:
It really depends on the type of food you’re using. Some kibbles have higher calorie counts, so you may need less. Have you checked the feeding guidelines on the bag?

I haven’t yet, but I’ll take a look. That makes sense.

I remember when I got my pup, we had to spread meals throughout the day. If we didn’t, he’d get tired, fall asleep, and forget to eat. Puppies can be distracted like that, so keeping consistent mealtimes helps. For Spyro, we had to reintroduce his food each time, or he wouldn’t eat. Might just be a puppy thing.

@Kim
That’s helpful! Mason gets distracted too, so maybe I need to be more consistent with timing.

I’d also suggest checking out dog food analysis websites or considering a raw diet if you’re interested in switching things up later. But for now, stick to puppy food that’s balanced.

Thompson said:
I’d also suggest checking out dog food analysis websites or considering a raw diet if you’re interested in switching things up later. But for now, stick to puppy food that’s balanced.

I’ve heard of raw diets but not sure if it’s right for a puppy. I’ll stick to the basics for now.

At 8 weeks, most puppies need to eat at least 3-4 times a day, depending on their size and the food they’re on. Check with your vet to confirm if you’re unsure, but make sure the portions are small and spaced out.

@Vitt
Sounds like I need to up the frequency. He’s been eating three times, but maybe four would be better.